TROUT-STALKING 147 



its goal. Direction of the cast called for no atten- 

 tion, as the waters gradually converged to the 

 narrow channel where the trout waited. At the 

 critical moment the fatal drag threatened to 

 intervene and swamp the fly, but by reaching 

 forward with the rod we managed to prevent dis- 

 aster. All unsuspecting the trout took the fly, 

 and the reel broke the gloaming silence. The 

 fact that the light had begun to fade no doubt 

 contributed to the trout's downfall; but satisfac- 

 tion was nevertheless completely justifiable, for 

 the incident occurred many years ago, when we 

 were first learning to know and respect the trout 

 of Clyde. 



The situations dealt with are uncommon ; but 

 they serve to illustrate all the more clearly that 

 trout sometimes take up positions which render it 

 imperative for the angler to adopt special .measures 

 to ensure that neither his presence nor the char- 

 acter of his lure will be disclosed. At all times 

 it is necessary for him to remain invisible to the 

 trout, until and even after the hook is home ; 

 but occasionally, especially on smaller streams, 

 concealment is difficult to arrange. Not always 

 will he find the required protective covering on 

 the bank, though, whenever it is at hand in the 

 form of bush, rock, or clump of rushes, he will 

 probably accept it without further thought. We 

 have, however, strong objections to the elevated 

 position of the bank, and much prefer to be on 

 or below the level of the water. 



Whenever we get the opportunity, we like to 

 work along the base of a high right bank, as we 

 imagine that the background of grass and exposed 



